About us in a Nutshell

Who we are – What we do – How we create impact

WHO WE ARE

Green Youth Collective (GYC) and REED (RE.generate E.cological D.iversity) are community-based environmental organization working from the grassroots level, with the living models of regenerative sustainability solutions based in Hoi An and Go Noi – Da Nang, Central Vietnam. We also collaborate with other partners in other regions of Vietnam and outside Vietnam.

We work where large systems often struggle to operate effectively:

Small communities, informal groups, and vulnerable populations
Contexts requiring long-term presence, trust, and local ownership
Issues that are complex, interconnected, and not easily addressed through short-term projects

GYC and REED exist to fill critical gaps between high-level policies, science-based and technical solutions, and everyday community realities.

OUR CORE APPROACH: REGENERATIVE SUSTAINABILITY

We apply a regenerative sustainability approach, which focuses on restoring systems rather than minimizing damage.

Key pillar 1: Upstreams and Circular design

Prevention before treatment

Redesign of systems, not end-of-pipe solutions

Strong focus on zero waste and circular resource flows

Key projects under this pillar: Zero Waste & Resource Management

1.1. Community-based organics management system

1.2. Zero Waste Social Business models in refurbishing, repurposing discarded materials from tourism and hospitality sector (spent coffee grounds, used cooking oil, single-use soaps from luxury hotels, discarded linens and so on)

1.3. Decentralised solid waste management system (Zero Waste) in rural and urban areas, especially where with involvement of tourism and hospitality sector

Key pillar 2: Nature-inspired solutions and Appropriate technologies

Nature-based solutions (NbS)
Low-cost, locally adaptable technologies
Integration of traditionally ecological and cultural knowledge and skills

Key projects under this pillar: Closed-loop farming & Community Agro-ecosystem restoration

2.1. Closed-loop farming with integrated organics management, plants – animals – soil system

2.2. Resilient and Useful plant nurseries (native, multi-purposed, climate-adaptive, culturally useful species)

2.3. Riverbank ecological restoration using nature-based solutions

2.4. REwild farm (applying mindsets and techniques from agro-ecology, permaculture, biodynamics, natural farming where relevant to revive food system at intentional community level; building resilience and adaptation of the land and all its systemic components to climate change, redesigning family and community life, climate-resilient livelihoods)

Key pillar 3: Education for Resilience and Regeneration

Transition skills in the context of climate change, biodiversity loss and natural resource-intensive economic system
Bring upfront the role of farmers, women, waste workers, youth and underdeveloped community leaders and empower them to lead the changes
Decentralised educational system – trainings and education is continuously integrated with working with nature and working with community

Key projects under this pillar: Community Schools for Regeneration

Place-based learning hubs embedded in community practices, building long-term human capacity for regeneration
Learning by doing, project-based learning, community service learning across generations
Integration of zero waste & resource management, closed-loop farming and land restoration, regenerative agriculture..

OUR PIONEERING ROLE IN REGENERATIVE TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY IN VIETNAM

GYC & REED approach tourism as a leverage point for regeneration.

By focusing on the ecological/environment and cultural/community aspects of the sector, we work with tourism businesses and destinations to:

Redesign operations toward zero waste and circular systems
Embed tourism within local agro-ecosystems restoration process and building resilience for local communities with transition skills, green jobs
Develop Travel with Purpose experiences focused on learning, contribution, and reconnection

Tourism becomes a driver for ecosystem restoration, community livelihoods, and education of sustainable skills.

THE CHANGE WE AIM TO CREATE

GYC & REED focus on system-level, long-term impact, including:

New models of public–private–community collaboration
New mindsets, skills, and green livelihoods at the grassroots level
Community-owned environmental system
Redesign of how people live, work, and travel within ecological limits

We believe meaningful regeneration starts locally—but must be designed to influence wider systems.